Moving from Lancaster, CA to Pomona, CA
It is a 81 mi drive, roughly 1h 53m, between Lancaster, CA and Pomona, CA. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate β not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
81 mi Β· 1h 53m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | N3, FH 59, I 210 |
| Major cities en route | Palmdale, Santa Clarita, Glendale, Burbank, Los Angeles |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Lancaster | Pomona | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
Overall price level is comparable β 113.566 vs 113.566 on the 2024 BEA RPP. Category-level gaps (rents, services) may still be meaningful.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 0.0% higher home prices β ZHVI goes from $465,847 to $690,986 moving to Pomona.
YoY change: Lancaster -2.1%, Pomona -0.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Lancaster | Pomona |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 62Β°F | 65Β°F |
| January avg low | 31Β°F | 43Β°F |
| July avg high | 98Β°F | 90Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 6.8" | 14.5" |
Annual average temperatures in Lancaster (62.1Β°F) and Pomona (65.1Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Pomona gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: LANCASTER WM J FOX FLD, CA US, POMONA/FAIRPLEX, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Lancaster | Pomona |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 170,013 | 148,391 |
| Median household income | $76,083 | $78,869 |
| Median age | 34.2 | 35.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 12.7% | 13.7% |
| Avg household size | 3.26 | 3.55 |
Median household incomes in Lancaster ($76,083) and Pomona ($78,869) are within a few percent (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Pomona MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 746,160 | $48,810 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 570,740 | $35,580 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 516,960 | $40,560 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 494,430 | $39,510 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 461,490 | $33,530 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20β30% more between Memorial Day and Labor Day (peak season). October through April offers the lowest rates and better mover availability.
To avoid mid-semester school transfers, most U.S. families schedule moves between mid-June and mid-August. Public school calendars typically run late August or early September through late May or early June.
Winter driving along this route
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Pomona average 90Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Pomona sees only 14.5 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- Wildfire season in California typically peaks July through October β register for county emergency alerts during unpack.
- Arrange utility connection (power, internet, gas, water) two weeks ahead of move-in.
- Update mailing address with USPS change-of-address within the first week post-move.
Frequently asked
How far is Pomona, CA from Lancaster, CA?
The driving distance is 81 mi and the route typically takes 1h 53m via N3 and FH 59. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Lancaster to Pomona?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 81 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Pomona compare to Lancaster?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Pomona MSA vs $50,490 in the Lancaster MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 6,185,570 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Lancaster vs Pomona?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $78,869 in Pomona vs $76,083 in Lancaster β a 3.7% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Pomona compared to Lancaster?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $690,986 in Pomona vs $465,847 in Lancaster β a 48.3% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Lancaster.
City profiles: Lancaster, CA Β· Pomona, CA.